3. Translate a covering letter attached to the resume for the vacancy “Purchasing agent and supply section supervisor”:

   Covering Letter Date Exact Name of Person Title or Position Name of Company Address City, State, Zip Dear Exact Name of Person: (or Dear Sir or Madam if answering a blind ad.) With the enclosed resume, I would like to make you aware of my background in logistics and distribution operations with an emphasis on experience in purchasing. As you will see from my resume, during my approximately seven years of military service I have become proficient in operating and training others in the operation of the Unit Level Logistics Supply System 4 (ULLSS-4) database. With experience in procuring supplies and equipment, supervising and mentoring employees, and presenting briefings which allow executives to gain information concerning supply activities, I have earned a reputation as a self-motivated professional who can be counted on to get the job done right the first time. Familiar with the Department of Defense (DoD) contracting process, in several assignments I have been credited with saving government funds through my initiative and resourcefulness. I have been cited as the key force in developing sources for obtaining equipment and supplies from outside the standard military channels by using civilian sources for lower cost and reduced waiting times. Presently in control of purchasing for a 120-person organization, I purchase an average of $13 million in equipment quarterly while controlling a $10 million inventory of electronics and communication gear, food, furniture, and other classes of supplies. The recipient of two U.S. Army Commendation Medals and two U.S. Army Achievement Medals in recognition of my professionalism and dedication, I also was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for my contributions during hurricane cleanup efforts. If you can use a resourceful and creative professional who is known for sound judgment and for getting results, I hope you will welcome my call soon when I try to arrange a brief meeting to discuss your goals and how my background might serve your needs. I can provide outstanding references at the appropriate time. Sincerely, Fred Hall Alternate last paragraph: I hope you will write or call me soon to suggest a time when we might meet to discuss your needs and goals and how my background might serve them. I can provide outstanding references at the appropriate time. Answer the questions: How long did Fred Hall work in the military service? What is he proficient in? What kind of reputation does he have? How did he manage to save government funds while working at the Department of Defence? What did he use civilian sources for lower cost for? What is he engaged in at the present? What kind of inventory control does he perform? What medals was he awarded? Can he provide the employers with the references? What are his professional qualities? Translate the resume. Make a review of Fred Hall’s experience: Resume/Curriculum Vitae FRED HALL 1110˚ Hay Street, Fayetteville, NC 28305 preppub@aol.com (910) 483-6611 OBJECTIVE EDUCATION & TRAINING EXPERIENCE PERSONAL To contribute a strong base of experience in logistics and distribution operations to an organization that can use a natural leader who offers superior communication and motivational abilities gained while excelling in inventory management activities. Completed U.S. Army-sponsored training with the ULLSS-4 (Unit Level Logistics Supply System 4) as well as courses in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. SUPPLY OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR. Fort Benning, GA (2003-05). Cited for my willingness to share knowledge with others and dedication to doing whatever was needed to get the job done, oversaw a large-scale supply operation with $75 million worth of equipment. • Supervised two people and was frequently sought out to counsel and advise others. • Purchased $2 million worth of equipment and managed a $2 million annual budget. • Developed more efficient methods for purchasing needed supplies and equipment from civilian markets with the result that the government achieved $50,000 in annual savings. • Received “no discrepancies 100%” evaluations during three consecutive high-level inspections of the weapons and ammunition supply room as well as for the supply section during a maintenance assessment inspection. ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR FOR SUPPLY ACTIVITIES. Fort Benning, GA (2003). Created improvements to the annual budget which resulted in saving the government $75,000 while accounting for more than $25 million worth of equipment. • Became familiar with the most economical sources for purchasing materials from civilian sources and ordered all classes of supplies from both civilian and military sources. • Supervised five people and maintained a $150,000 quarterly operations budget. SUPERVISORY SUPPLY SPECIALIST. Germany (2001-02). Was cited as a force for positive change in American-German relations while supervising five people and controlling a $7 million property inventory and in excess of $20 million worth of equipment • Implemented improvements to purchasing plans for a company which spent an average of $200,000 a quarter and earned 14 commendable ratings during a major inspection. SUPPLY CLERK. Fort Jackson, SC (1999-01). Gained experience in time management and human relations while accounting for $10 million worth of property and ordering all classes of supplies; planned, designed, and implemented a two-year $160,000 budget. • Filed reports, organized files, and investigated cases of loss, damage, or theft. Have earned two U.S. Army Commendation Medals, two Achievement Medals, and a Humanitarian Service Medal in recognition of accomplishments. Secret security clearance.

4. Write your resume (cv) and covering letter according to the

above given examples:

6. Write a resume which would be successful for obtaining any vacancy from Ex. 1. Discussion questions

I

1: For each of the following four types of businesses (Airline HubAuto Plant Accounting Firm Copper Smelter), rate the importance of each factor in terms of making international location decisions. Use L for low importance, M for moderate importance, and H for high importance:

Factors: Labor costs, Availability of skilled labor,

Transportation costs, Nearness to customers

Cost of living, Pollution control regulation,

Nearness to raw materials, Construction costs

Presence of similar firms, Exchange rate stability

2: Explain how superior value chain management can increase a firm's competitive advantage. How is telematics impacting the internationalization of service industries?

3: Most international pharmaceutical companies have their plants in advanced industrial countries of North America, Europe, and Japan. In contrast, most sports footwear companies source their products from developing countries such as China and Indonesia. Explain this seeming inconsistency.

4: How important is it for a firm to win one of the major quality awards? What competitive benefits can be gained by a firm that obtains ISO 9000 certification? Explain.

5: Identify a list of criteria that a firm should use to decide which aspects of its value chain it should outsource. What aspects should not be outsourced? Why or why not?

6: How should a firm determine the strategic role of its foreign factories? Are some roles preferable to others?

II

Case: Siemens Automotive Systems. In early 1995, Stephen Drake, product marketing manager at Siemens' electrical motors division in London, Canada, under heavy pressure from customers to reduce prices, was evaluating various cost-cutting options. With materials accounting for 60 percent of total cost, Stephen knew sourcing components offshore and moving assembly operations to low-cost, soft-currency locations were two alternatives. He wondered what additional information he might require and what options he should recommend.

General Company Background: The Electric Motor/Electrical Motor Systems division (henceforth referred to as EM division) was part of the Automotive Systems group of Siemens, a German multinational firm, the sixth largest electronics and electrical engineering company in the world. The world headquarters of the Automotive Systems group was located in Regensburg, Germany, with research and development, testing, production, assembling, and sales and service facilities situated worldwide. The group was one of the leading suppliers of automotive electrical and electronic components and systems to the automobile industry.

Questions:

1: What, if any, additional information would help Stephen Drake decide on what recommendations to make to his superior?

2: How can a multinational company such as Siemens address the issues caused by changes in exchange rates?

3: What will be the role of the London facilities if more and more work is outsourced?

4: Given the drawbacks to outsourcing that Siemens Automotive has experienced, why should the company persist with this option?

5: Siemens Automotive is competing with other divisions in the same company and with other companies in the industry. What is the basis of this competition? How can Siemens retain its mandate and competitive edge? III

Is it true that every organisation has to move materials to support its operations? Give examples from different types of organisation to support your views. IV

How important is logistics to the national economy? How has this changed over time? V

Organisations are only really interested in making products that they can sell to customers. Provided they have reliable first-tier supplies and transport for products to first-tier customers, logistics is irrelevant. Do you think this is true?

VI

Very few organisations deal with the final customer for a product. Most work upstream and form one step of the supply chain, often passing materials to internal customers within the same organisation. How does the type of customer affect the organisation of logistics and the measures of customer satisfaction?

VII

The cost of logistics varies widely from organisation to organisation. What factors affect these costs? Are the costs fixed or can they be controlled?

VIII

How can you measure customer service or satisfaction, and why is it important?

IX

How can a company find the best balance between service level and costs? X

Is it really true that logistics affects all aspects of an organisation’s performance?

XI

‘Logistics is a part of every product package.’ What does this mean, and is it true? XII

In 1996 a survey by Deloitte & Touche in Canada found that 98% of respondents described logistics as either ‘critical’ or ‘very important’ to their company. The survey also emphasised the rate of change in the area, with over 90% of organisations either currently improving their supply chain or planning improvements within the next two years. Do you think that these findings are still valid?